Genre veteran Heather Graham (They Will Kill You, Suitable Flesh) is stepping into one of the most famous and documented paranormal cases in American history.
Formerly titled Entity Within, the upcoming horror feature What Happened to Doris? has released its first official image ahead of its world premiere at Fantastic Fest next month.
Directed by Nick Simon (The Girl in the Photographs) the film feratures a screenplay by Saw IV writer Thomas Fenton. It re-examines the real-life 1974 case of Doris Bither. The haunting story previously served as the basis for Frank De Felitta’s 1978 novel The Entity. It was adapted for the controversial 1982 feature adaptation starring Barbara Hershey.
A Suburban Nightmare in 1974 Los Angeles
Set against the backdrop of mid-1970s suburban Los Angeles, the film centers on Doris. She’s a single mother living with her children who becomes the target of relentless, violent attacks by an invisible, malicious entity inside her home. Skepticism from local law enforcement and friends leaves her isolated. Soon, she is forced to seek help from a team of paranormal researchers.
Genre Alumni
Alongside Graham in the title role, the project boasts an impressive supporting cast of genre alumni, including Mimi Rogers (Ginger Snaps), Morgan Peter Brown (Absentia), and Kevin Keppy (Smile).
Elevated Horror Rooted in Haunting History
Horror veteran Steven Schneider (Insidious, Paranormal Activity) produces alongside German Michael Torres.
Distributor GVN’s Head of Production, Missy Valdez, noted that bringing Bither’s harrowing experience to the screen required balancing real-life terror with emotional dignity.
“This film is based on a true story and that truth is chilling,” Valdez stated. “It is an honor and a challenge to bring Doris’s raw and terrifying experiences to the screen with care and dignity. So proud to be part of this film. This is an elevated horror film that blends emotional depth with real-life terror, and we believe it will deeply resonate with both genre fans and new audiences alike.”
By focusing heavily on the emotional strain placed on a mother fighting to protect her family against a force no one else can see, What Happened to Doris? seeks to deliver a respectful, elevated take on a notorious supernatural case for modern audiences.
Heather Graham in What Happened to Doris?
